Friday, May 28, 2010

A few years ago (ok, make that 10 years ago) Bryan and I were at the beach on the island of Elba surrounded by German tourists. We had been traveling for months by then, and had gotten used to the relative camouflage of not speaking the language. So when he farted super loud at the beach we were surprised to see heads turn, stares, a few snickers. Bryan! I said, you do realize you didn't fart in English, right? They understand you. It's a fart, and farts don't have thick accents.For some stupid reason I always ask Bryan and now Zoey ¿está bien? when I want to covertly ask if they are ok. ¿Está bien? at a party when Bryan looks bored. ¿Está bien? to Zoey when she's not eating the food that someone has served. Which pretty much makes me an asshole seeing as how I live in an area with many Spanish speakers and I don't speak the language at all. No es bueno, I know, and I wish I could tell you why I've been in a funk but I can't, so I will just tell you this: está bien, you guys. It's going to be ok. I'm going to be ok. The world maybe not so much, what with the oil spill and Glenn Beck, but it's Friday and no matter who or where or why, we understand eachother's farts.

10 comments:

Hi,I just found your blog and have to tell you that after reading your last 2 posts I'm feeling the same way the past week... oddly down and in a funk. Just landing here and looking around a bit I don't feel so alone... thanks for sharing... you're not alone. We'll both be back in the saddle soon, I promise!!Come visit me sometime :)xo

I think farts transcend all languages and that sort of bonds us, does it not? not sure how you say you smelt it, you dealt in spanish, might be good to know. i am sorry you are in a funk and hope that my lame fart jokes at least made you smirk. if not, here is my favorite bad joke.

my mum (or mom? lo siento, but i'm english) used to speak spanish to me all the time when i was little and still (even more so) does now. alright, she's fluent in the language but still... it's our little thing. a bond.

And to answer a few questions:According to a translation site, "quienquiera que olía dealth" is Spanish for "whoever smelt it dealt it," though I am almost certain something is wrong there.

And Krista, my keyboard is no genius. Whenever I want to write something in another language and I don't know how to get the right symbols, I google it and cut and paste. The only genius is in the ctrl V.

That is really funny- I speak four languages and find myself feeling indignant when I can't understand others- But that is so true that farts are universal- Really nice to find your blog- (via The Claw)

Hi, I'm Susannah and I love shiny things, swimming, the smell of fresh cut grass, orange blossoms and horse shit. The feel of my children's eyelashes on my cheek is a live virus that grows in me, multiplies and sustains. I will never understand Amish Friendship Bread.

I write for love but money works, too. Email me for more info, or just to say hello.
susannah.ink@gmail.com